S U M M E R AN N I V E RSARY E D I T I O N
OR I G I N STORIES FIRST HAND FROM THE FIRST YEARS
T H E FOU N D IN G HOW PACIFIC STATES BECAME LIFE WEST
S PA DAYS INSPIRATION FROM THE EARLIEST DAYS
ANNIVERSARY EDITION VOLUME 42 | ISSUE 02
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THISISSUE
PUBLISHER RONALD OBERSTEIN, DC
10
COVER STORY
DEPARTMENTS
08
04 NEW FACILITIES
First hand from the first years
06 PRECEPTORSHIPS
ORIGIN STORIES
ANATOLE BOGATSKI, PhD
12
Drs. Sid and Nell Williams Lasting Purpose Courtyard comes alive
Stories from preceptors in practice
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THE FOUNDING
How Pacific States became Life West
14 ADMISSIONS Discovery Weekend is back on campus 17 ALUMNI NEWS Letter from the Alumni Director 18 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
12
SPA DAYS Inspiration from the profession from the earliest days
A new vision for learning 20 DONOR ROLL Thank you for your support! 25 STUDENT COUNCIL Delivering on Service and Diversity in the college strategic plan. 26 GRADUATION Congrats to our recent graduates! 28 ALUMNI PROFILE Dr. Phil Dieter 29 STUDENT PROFILE Sophia Grandstaff
VO LU ME 42 ISSU E 0 2
32 PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE Going from strength to strength
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S PA DAYS
THE FOUNDING
O R I G I N S TO R I E S
08
MANAGING EDITOR
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ANATOLE BOGATSKI, PhD JENNIFER BOSCO, EdD JOE IBE, DC GEORGE CASEY, DC SARA PARSONS TOM HYLAND COPY EDITORS ANATOLE BOGATSKI, PhD BARBARA DELLI GATTI ALANA HOPE TOM HYLAND MARK ZEIGLER, DC PHOTOGRAPHERS ALANA HOPE JONATHAN DAI COVER DESIGN MICHAEL ARON EDITORIAL DESIGN KANOE IRVINE ALANA HOPE MICHAEL ARON ADVERTISING MARK ZEIGLER, DC ADS@LIFEWEST.EDU BOARD OF REGENTS JIMMY NANDA, DC, CHAIRMAN KRISTEN GILES, DC CAMERON HASTINGS, AASME, AASEM ANGEL OCHOA-REA, DC STEVEN SILK, DC SCOTT TURNER, CPA CONTACT US Life Chiropractic College West 25001 Industrial Blvd. Hayward, CA 94545, USA +1 (510) 780-4500 communications@lifewest.edu
LIFE WEST PRESS
FROM THE
PRESIDENT
FROMTHEPRESIDENT
We have come a long way in 40 years! But some things never change. In 1991, at the request of Dr. Sid Williams, I joined the Board of Regents of Life West. The college had become LCCW 10 years previously, and Dr. Gerry Clum was in the president’s seat not only growing and building the college, but doing amazing things politically in the state of California. Fast forward 30 years since, the college has graduated 6,000+ DCs, all the while staying true to DD’s and BJ’s vitalistic and salutogenic philosophy and staying grounded in Dr. Williams’ values of Lasting Purpose - Giving, Doing, Loving and Serving out of one’s own abundance. What we are doing today is bringing our history alive while staying true to our values. To honor our founders we have created the Drs. Sid and Nell Williams Lasting Purpose Courtyard. The space is
now open and we are incredibly grateful to all the donors who contributed and who understand the ‘why’ that this college embodies. As we move forward, we will never leave our roots that are deeply grounded in the Vitalistic Model. From August 6th-8th of this year, we will be holding our 10th Wave at the college and bringing us squarely back to the science, philosophy and art of Chiropractic. The Wave will be a celebration of our 40th birthday, back on campus with plenty of activities for you to participate in. Many of the key people in the college’s history will be with us and I look forward to seeing you there as well! As we look forward to the next 40 years, I can say with confidence that we are in phenomenal shape, and this is just a springboard to the great things Life West will be accomplishing
in the coming years. This could not have happened without the hard work of both Drs. Gerry Clum and Brian Kelly. Our Lasting Purpose is clear and unambiguous. Our past defines our future. Life West will continue to promote vitalistic chiropractic and teach our students where true health comes from. In 40 year’s time my hope is that many of you will be front and center along with Life West in continuing the great work of “Creating a Brighter Future for Humanity.” From the inside,
Dr. Ron Oberstein President, Life Chiropractic College West #LIFEWEST | 3
LASTINGPURPOSECOURTYARD
DRS. SID AND NELL WILLIAMS LASTING PURPOSE COURTYARD
This courtyard honors Drs. Sid and Nell Williams, who founded Life West and dedicated their lives to protecting and enhancing the Chiropractic profession. Their conception of Lasting Purpose is remembered in our Give, Do, Love, and Serve benches. Drs. Sid and Nell's commitment to the betterment of humanity through the art of the chiropractic adjustment is shared by all who spend time in this courtyard.
BENEFACTORS Dr. Daniel Abeckjerr Dr. Waldemar Carrasquillo Dr. Edwin and Debra Cordero Dr. Melissa A. Crago Dr. George Curry Dr. Dean and Jen Depice Drs. Gary and Carolyn Fish Dr. Brad and Jessica Glowaki* Dr. Andy Harding and Dr. RJ Kelly Dr. Paula and Michael Hedglon Dr. Jay and Rita Holder Dr. Aaron Holder Dr. D.D. and Beth Humber Dr. Aaron Humber Dr. Kerry L. and Lisa Johnson Dr. Brian and Rachel Lieberman Life West President's Circle Dr. Eduardo Martinez Dr. Brian and Laura Moriarty
Dr. Jonathan Moukhtafi Drs. Dan Murphy and Michelle Schaer Drs. Ron and Mary Oberstein Dr. Elizabeth Rassel Dr. Paul and Mary Ann Roses Dr. Walter and Glenda Sanchez* Dr. Jon Scott Dr. Marilyn Shore Drs. Toniann Roses-Sottile and Dean Sottile Dr. Flint Sparks Dr. Mindy A. Weingarten Dr. Robert and Diana Wol Dr. Aaron Wol Dr. Jamie Wyskiver Dr. Nikolai and Paulina Young Dr. Mark and Gae Zeigler Dynamic Essentials* * Bench Sponsors: Dr. Brad and Jessica Glowaki, Dr. Walter and Glenda Sanchez, Dynamic Essentials
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For many years students at Life West have taken what little grass they had around the campus and made the most of it. The Grassy Knoll was one such place but in winter with the leaf drop, rain, and lack of sun to dry out the ground, the knoll became unusable. Dr. Oberstein knew that with the right funding in place, the space could be repurposed into a new year-round outdoor leisure courtyard and so the wheels were set into motion. He and Dr. Zeigler, VP of Institutional Advancement, explained the need at conferences, meetings with alumni and friends, other potential donors, and finally at Dynamic Essentials. After months of sharing the vision, the college fundraised to make the courtyard a reality. Construction began in January 2021 and in April the Lasting Purpose Courtyard was opened in time for our Life West Discovery Weekend. For Dr. Oberstein what was important was that the space embodied the generosity of the donors and the vision of Drs. Sid and Nell Williams in assisting with the transition from Pacific States Chiropractic College to the founding of Life Chiropractic College West. Four donor benches have been named Give, Do, Love, and Serve after Dr. Williams' visionary Lasting Purpose philosophy. Dr. Brad and Jessica Glowaki, Dr. Walter and Glenda Sanchez, and Dynamic Essentials donated $10,000 each for the Courtyard Benches. In addition, the back wall of the Dr. D.D. and Beth Humber Pavilion is topped with thirty-three solar lights symbolizing the 33 chiropractic principles. Located immediately outside the student entrance to the Health Center, and close to the Cafe au Life, students and all the Life West community will now be able to enjoy the courtyard for a quiet lunch, study, outdoor lectures, mindfulness practice, taichi, musical events, student club activities and much more. The formal inauguration of the Lasting Purpose Courtyard will be part of the 2021 Wave program. When asked about the inspiration for the courtyard, President Oberstein commented: “I was looking for a way to share the vision of Drs. Sid and Nell Williams while integrating nature’s elements, which both Drs. Sid and Nell treasured. This multi-purpose Lasting Purpose Courtyard will be a landmark on our campus and also enshrine the Williams as the founders of Life West.” Without the generous support of our donors, none of this would have happened. Our gratitude goes out to all the individuals and organizations who donated for helping to make the Lasting Purpose Courtyard part of the Life West experience for our current and future students, faculty, and staff.
LASTINGPURPOSECOURTYARD
Alumni, faculty, and graduating Winter, Spring and Summer classes of 2021 come together to celebrate at the Drs. Sid and Nell Williams Lasting Purpose Courtyard. #LIFEWEST | 5
PRECEPTORSHIPSTORIES
PRECEPTORSHIP STORIES With the vision of Dr. Ron Oberstein and under the leadership of Dr. Scott Donaldson, the preceptorship program at Life West has literally taken off like a rocket. This was a clear and obvious need that the president identified early in his tenure and is now growing every quarter. Over 70% of senior interns are now in the preceptor program. Validation of how powerful this experience is for setting our graduates up for success in practice is evidenced by the graduates and preceptor doctors, and how they perceive the experience.
Dr. Marissa Sum was an enthusiastic early participant in the program. Her preceptor intern, Cassie Stansberry, was right up there in meeting her expectations - the intern was reliable, coachable and eager to learn and grow. “She had been taking seminars outside of school with other DCs on adjusting, patient exams and office procedures to compliment what she learned in the Health Center at Life West. Her dedication
LIBBY JORDAN 6 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE
The preceptorship program offers the senior student or a student who has earned a Doctor of Chiropractic degree but has not received a license yet with an opportunity to increase their clinical experience prior to entering into private practice. For their part, the Preceptor or host DC assists in the development of a new practitioner, who brings enthusiasm and a willingness to learn to the practice. This is a great opportunity for both the intern and the experienced chiropractor.
prepared her for post graduate life - the real world! Her attention to detail and ability to predict what I needed before I even knew I needed it were valuable for the practice.” For Dr Sum, having the opportunity to coach her future peers while receiving the gift of expanding her team and adding to the work she could do in the office for her patients was all worth it. Would she have another preceptor intern from Life West? “Yes!”
DR. SUM AND CASSIE STANSBERRY
From the student intern perspective, Libby Jordan’s preceptorship at Dr. Mindy Pelz’s office definitely improved her confidence in her transition from student to doctor. “It was strange to go from the student setting in the Life West Health Center at first, but Dr. Mindy and her team were absolutely incredible to work with. They made me feel comfortable, supported, and provided a warm learning environment. I went right from my preceptorship in the Bay Area to my job here at Strive Chiropractic in North Dakota quite literally the next day. My time at Dr. Pelz’s office made the quick transition into the doctor role smoother. I cannot recommend the preceptorship program enough!”
George Tuihalangingie’s preceptor doctor was Dr. Robert Katona at Katona Chiropractic in Castro Valley, CA. Like Whitney, his highlight was seeing the whole process from receiving the patient to taking x-rays and exams and adjusting the patient. “I liked that it was really old-school because a lot of the offices I’ve been visiting are really new-school with the way they run their business and how
DR. JESS LIPS
from the experience was peace of mind. “At school we can get so wrapped up in the red tape and in the emotions that go into whether or not the adjustment “went.” Being able to step away from the Life West Health Center into real life scenarios gave me the peace of mind to say ‘I can do this, I'm prepared.’” Did the preceptor experience increase her competence and confidence as she looked to her career after graduation and licensure? “100% yes! In addition it was very demystifying. When I was at school I could only imagine what practice might look like. Sure there are days that I shadowed and got a taste but nothing like the day in and day out of a well functioning practice.”
WHITNEY MARSH AND DR. HOEFER
they package a care plan for a patient. Dr. Katona took a very down to earth but professional approach to how he dealt with his patients. I really liked how he took his time with each patient and made sure their concerns were being met. Seeing it first hand made me see the big picture which increased my confidence in running my own clinic in the future.”
GEORGE TUIHALANGINGIE
Dr. Jess Lips at Ginkgo Chiropractic speaks highly of her preceptor intern, Kirsten Foullong. “Kirsten exceeded my expectations. She worked hard, got along well with the team, and was a very enjoyable person to be around with her warm, smiling energy. I appreciated explaining my adjustments and analysis to Kirsten and really enjoyed some of the teaching moments we had. Everyone at the clinic loved her energy and she was a great help.”
Learn more about how to participate in this program as a preceptor doctor at preceptor.lifewest.edu
#LIFEWEST | 7
PRECEPTORSHIPSTORIES
Intern Whitney Marsh took a preceptorship with Dr. Elizabeth Hoefer at Well Connected Chiropractic. Though there are many amazing tools she now has in her pocket after working at Well Connected, the most notable is seeing the leadership and teamwork that goes into a high volume practice. “This is something that we spoiled interns at Life West do not get exposed to. Our files get pulled for us, our patients get checked in and their payment taken by Health Center staff. More than just the adjustment, the patient experience is the entire office’s ability to function… on time, I might add. During my time at Well Connected I was immersed in an office culture of five CAs and three massage therapists. Each and every member of the staff is bought in and motivated to make the patient experience, and the staff experience, smooth and effective.” The greatest value Whitney got
ORIGINSTORIES
OR I G I N
STO R I E S
Over Life West’s 40th Birthday week (March 8-12, 2021), Dr. Ron Oberstein had the pleasure of interviewing many of the leading figures in the college’s very first years of existence. These webinar format recordings are available at the Life Chiropractic College West YouTube channel and are well worth listening to for their insight into the hows, whys and whos of the early years. Following are some of the abridged highlights.
WHO WHAT WHERE AND HOW Who knew that in fact Dr. Gerry Clum had been directly approached in the late 70's by Drs. Wentland and Anderson to lead Pacific States Chiropractic College, and it was Dr. Clum who suggested that they also reach out to Dr. Sid Williams for his help to keep the college on track. In Dr. Clum’s words: “There hadn’t been a lot of growth in the educational community in the profession. Sherman had come along in the early 70’s. Life had come along shortly thereafter. And then in Northern California there was the establishment of Pacific States Chiropractic College. And Drs. Wentland and Anderson's goal was to have an upper cervical, specifically a NUCCA oriented, DC curriculum in California. And they were wonderfully well-intentioned and dedicated. But quite honestly they didn’t know the ballgame they were getting into and they were getting eaten alive. They contacted me directly and said, “Would you come out for an interview?” And I did and accepted the position. And as I thought about it, I called Dr. Anderson back almost at the last minute before I was to head to California and said, “You know, you don’t need me. You need something bigger than this. You need Dr. Williams. You need the base that Dr. Williams brings to the table. You need the gravitas that he and his 8 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE
name and his reputation in the profession has. And I’m flattered but the truth of the matter is you need something more than me.” And out of that came an opportunity for Dr. Williams.” Dr. D.D. Humber continued the story: “Dr. Sid was so impressed with the opportunity that was there, the challenge that was there, because he was good at taking on challenges. He had a meeting with the Board of Trustees at Life Marietta, and they made a loan of half a million dollars to Pacific States, Dr. Sid making it a requirement that the name would be changed from Pacific States to Life Chiropractic College West. The other stipulation was that he be able to choose the President. And thank goodness he made the right choice.” Dr. Oberstein’s next evening’s guests were Dr. Michael Schmidt, instructor, then Clinic Director, then Technique Department Chair and for his last ten years Dean of the College, all spanning 1981 to 2002; and Dr. Adrienne Miller, between 1994 and 2006 serving first as Dean of Instruction and then Dean of the College. “In the very early days, everybody did everything. We did the janitorial work when the kids left. I spent the first month before the school opened painting. We painted all the halls, classrooms, the old building. And the students helped us.
The students did a lot of work. And it just grew from here,” Dr. Schmidt reminisced. And grow it did, to over 800 students. How did that happen? Dr. Schmidt threw light onto the story: “We had a spirit here that people liked and gravitated toward. And it was truly a spirit of service and we got a huge number of transfers. But at the same time what was going on in the big picture of chiropractic, there were probably three or four other schools that had opened up. And they were not able to get accredited. So their students had to transfer somewhere else and we took a lot of them. You know, there was a Pennsylvania school. Pasadena went under. And then another one in Southern California.” And then there was the recruiting: “The other thing, part of everybody’s job description, Ron, you certainly remember this, is in the evenings and weekends we recruited. I spent many, many, many times at Ron’s and Mary’s office where we would have career nights and get ten or twelve new students. Our goal was to meet prospective students, share the Life West story and if possible meet with people one on one afterwards." Dr. Oberstein carried the story onward: “it wasn’t fashionable to be a chiropractor back in the 80's, so you either had to have an experience or someone told you about it or your chiropractor said
ORIGINSTORIES
you need to go to the student evening. Michael, I remember you coming all the time, and Gerry, and we’d have 50 people sometimes in the reception room of Mary and my office. It was from all the chiropractors in San Diego who just knew that there was a student open house. They were fun.” Part of Dr. Miller’s role was to observe faculty in class: “It was interesting to see all the styles. And when I looked at it, I had this big insight that chiropractic is using the philosophy of Ralph Waldo Emerson. I had taught Emerson and so many of the things chiropractors did got into that American approach to things. And in fact BJ quoted it quite a lot. So it was a really interesting way for me to see how a philosophy got translated into a life.” And as Dr. Oberstein revealed, Dr. Miller went on to publish a paper on Emerson and Chiropractic in ‘Today’s Chiropractic’ from Life College in Georgia. Dr. Oberstein’s next evening’s guests were two icons who are still in our hallways and classrooms today, Dr. Dan Murphy, 39 years at Life West, and Professor Sue Ray, 36 years at Life West. How do you recruit faculty members who end up staying almost 40 years, to a college that had no accreditation, that didn’t even know if it was going to be around the next day. Something innately was there. In Dr. Murphy’s case: “I was hired with a phone call from Dr. Gerry Clum. He actually had me start teaching Radiology, so my position has changed a lot over these decades. But the back story that no one knows is that when he hired me, my first day on campus was a Friday. I drove out to the San Lorenzo campus and I put the adjusting table into the Quad. And I just sat at the end of the table and these kids would come by and I said, “When’s the last time you’ve been checked by a chiropractor? Do you want to get checked and maybe worked on?" So
I work the magic on him and his buddy. Both guys became lifelong friends. And people started lining up. That afternoon I adjusted nearly the entire campus in the Quad. No one knew who I was. And then Monday was my first day on campus and everyone knew who I was.” What a great way to introduce yourself to the campus, right? For Professor Sue Ray, it was crossing paths with department chair Dr. Peggy Phillips who founded the anatomy program at the college. “She asked me if I would be interested in coming over to this new college that was just getting started, and would I be interested in developing curricula? So I thought, this is really cool. And when I came to Life West to interview, I met Jim Hawkins, Anne Marie Smith, and Dr. Gerry Clum, and I was totally
philosophy and the commitment of my colleagues. Everybody knew we were walking into the fire. But we weren’t afraid. There was something very magical about that first class and for every class that came afterwards. I’m really honored that I was lucky enough to be in that first class.” Dr. Michael Zabelin shed some reality on the early days: “It was a middle school that had closed because of the demographic changes in the area. And all I remember are the desk chairs and that everything else was made for little kids. The poor teachers had to bend over to write on the blackboard as they were knee high.” Dr. Michael Gracey added: “you had to be willing to do garage sales to go to our school. That’s how we made money on the weekends to support the college, as well as all of us working jobs and studying as hard as we could.” Most of the students in the first class transferred to Life College Marietta to complete their DC degrees as Life West had yet to receive CCE accreditation in those early years. At this point in the show, Dr. Oberstein made a dramatic announcement to them all: “At either this June or December graduations at the college, for those of you who don’t have a Life West diploma, I would like for you to walk across the stage and receive an honorary Life West diploma. You will finally be capped and gowned at Life West. If I’m lucky enough to get Dr. Gerry on the stage with me, he will be handing you your diplomas.” What an end to a week of celebrations, and what a capstone for 40 years since the college transformed from Pacific States to Life West. In the final reckoning we are our graduates, and we are as proud of these pioneers as we can ever be.
“We had a spirit here that people liked and gravitated toward. And it was truly a spirit of service..." enamoured. They proceeded to ask ‘could you teach this course,’ and named a handful of topics. My response was ‘Well, I suppose so,’ and I thought, well, that’d be kind of cool. I didn’t know a thing about chiropractic, right? Was I going to give this a try? It was Warren Vale in my very first class who took me out to the little Quad area on the San Lorenzo campus. We stood underneath the blossoming cherry trees on a beautiful spring day and he told me why he wanted to become a Doctor of Chiropractic. And that was it. I thought, my gosh, this is such a wonderful thing. And so of course I’ve been with Life West ever since.” Dr. Oberstein’s final evening’s guests were the very first class at Pacific States and the love continued: Dr. Claudia Anrig: “I fell in love with the college because of the
#LIFEWEST | 9
ORIGINSTORIES
THE BIRTH
OF LIFE WEST George Emmet Anderson graduated with the Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the Palmer School of Chiropractic on July 4, 1952. He moved to Hayward, California to open a chiropractic practice in which he would specialize in the upper cervical area of the spine. The California law which regulated the chiropractic profession required each graduate to have credit for subjects that were not taught at Palmer or in many chiropractic schools before the 1980s. Therefore, in order to be licensed in California Dr. Anderson attended the California Chiropractic College in Oakland from 1952-1953 in order to earn the necessary credits for licensure. He received his second DC degree on September 15, 1953. As Dr. Anderson’s practice successfully evolved over the next twenty years, he became interested in establishing a chiropractic college in California where he could teach the successful upper cervical technique that had proven so valuable to his patients, called NUCCA. Dr. Anderson and his close friend Dr. George Wentland, along with a small group of chiropractors began to search the Bay Area for a location to open a college. At the time, one-fifth of the world’s chiropractors practiced in California, yet no college was closer to the large metropolitan Bay Area than Western States Chiropractic College which was 700 miles to the north in Oregon. Los Angeles Chiropractic College was 450 miles to the south. Drs. Anderson and Wentland founded Pacific States Chiropractic College at 879 Grant Avenue, San Lorenzo, California on August 30, 1976. The college’s Articles of Incorporation were signed October 2, 1976. On August 27, 1977, the college’s Board of Regents hired Thomas Vander Haar as president of the college and charged him with the responsibility to seek accreditation with the Council on Chiropractic Education. Seven months later, the first class of twenty four students matriculated in the first week of March 1978. Over the course of the next six months, progress toward achieving the requirements
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Dr. Anderson’s office: 542 A Street, Hayward, California
Dr. George Anderson's graduating class from California Chiropractic College, Oakland, California, 1953.
The first campus of Pacific States Chiropractic College, Grant Street, San Lorenzo, 1978.
Bruce Presnick, DC, instructing a technique lab, November 1980
George Anderson, DC Founder of Pacific States Chiropractic College
Sid E. Williams, DC
Founder of Life Chiropractic College
The 1978 matriculating class of students to Pacific States Chiropractic College with transition to Life Chiropractic College West in 1981. The students transferred to Life Chiropractic College, Marietta, Georgia for a final year of study after which they were granted the Doctor of Chiropractic degree.
On December 12, 1981, Dr. Sid Williams DC awarded the Doctor of Chiropractic Humanities degree to Dr. George E. Anderson.
The 1986 Life Chiropractic College West Board of Regents Standing: D.D. Humber, DC, Jenifer Jensen, DC, James McGinnis, DC, Seated: Thomas Turley, DC, Luverne Anderson, DC, Carl Dieter, DC, Rod Handley, DC (Not pictured: Louis Tiscareno, DC, Mark Klingert, DC)
ORIGINSTORIES
of accreditation deteriorated due to disagreements between the Board of Regents and the president. As a result, Mr. Vander Haar resigned and along with several dozen students sympathetic to his position, opened a new school in Palo Alto, naming it Northern California College of Chiropractic. A new Pacific States Chiropractic College president by the name of Dr. Leon Coelho DC was appointed by the board with a charge to rebuild the college and continue to seek accreditation. Dr. Coelho came with seven years of organizational background at Palmer College, which included experience in the process of obtaining accreditation with CCE. Chiropractic course instruction recommenced with the remaining sixteen students in October 1978 and the college began to show signs of growth again. Within a year of his arrival Dr. Coelho resigned his position with the college and was replaced by acting president, Dr. Bruce Presnick DC. As the college continued to grow in numbers of students, faculty and staff, it outgrew its Grant Avenue facilities and in January 1980 relocated to 2005 Via Barrett, San Lorenzo. In July 1980 an off-campus clinic at 1421 B. Street, Hayward was leased and outfitted for students moving into the clinical phase of their senior year of instruction. That same year, Dr. Rita Schroader, DC, was appointed president of the college by the Board of Regents. Unfortunately, financial hardships associated with rebuilding the college, an increase in program requirements, along with the frequent presidential changes, all took a heavy toll on the institution’s ability to become accredited. The effects of the trials and tribulations, along with the accreditation uncertainty with the CCE, caused the Board of Regents to seek a relationship with an established institution so that senior students at Pacific States would have the best chance to graduate. The college considered entering a consolidation agreement with Northern California College of Chiropractic, but the terms of an agreement were unacceptable. Finally, an agreement was reached in March 1981 between Life Chiropractic College in Marietta, Georgia, and Pacific States Chiropractic College. On March 12, 1981, minutes of the actions taken by the Pacific States Board of Regents show agreement to incorporate the college under the new name, Life Chiropractic College-West, to replace Rita Schroader, DC, as president with Gerard W. Clum, DC, to dissolve the Pacific States Board of Regents and increase the membership of the new Board of Regents to fifteen, with the following members: John Boutwell, DC, Cameron Cassan, DC, Ian Grassam, DC, Robert Hatch, DC, Willie Mae Pruitt, DC, William C. Remling, DC, James R. McGinnis, DC, Charles Ribley, DC, James M. Sigafoose, DC, Robert Sottile, DC, the Reverend Carl A. Standard, Louis Tiscareno, DC, Thomas Turley, DC, and Ralph Ungerank, DC. On February 3, 1983, the college was granted Recognized Candidate Status with the CCE. Full accreditation was granted in July 1987 and Life Chiropractic College West started another period of rapid expansion. As the college grew, it never lost the roots that Drs. Anderson and Wentland laid down, nor the significance of Lasting Purpose that Dr. Williams implanted within the college. The chiropractic profession owes a great deal of gratitude to Drs. Anderson, Wentland and Williams as Life West continues to be the beacon of vitalistic chiropractic on the west coast.
SEM IN A R S , S PA,
SP R ING F O R LIFE
SPRINGFORLIFE 12 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE
BY DR. GEORGE CASEY DC C U R AT O R , L C C W C H I R O P R AC T I C M U S E U M Though the Wave is our most recent program to provide students with opportunities to listen, learn and interact with alumni and other notable speakers in the profession, Life West has always tapped the vision, inspiration and knowledge of the profession for its students. In the early 1980s the Friday Seminar began what has become an unbroken tradition through today. These earliest seminars were held in the auditorium of the Via Barrett campus. Students were required to attend seven of the ten one-hour programs offered. Speakers and topics expanded students’ knowledge and awareness of the impact of chiropractic care through the eyes of practicing alumni and guest speakers. The 1980s also gave rise to a wide array of campus clubs, the quarterly Activities Fair and annual celebrations such as Founders Day and the Sleigh Bells Dash, all of which added a casual and festive social element to the demands and rigor of the educational program. In 1991, the college expanded its weekly Friday Seminar speaker program to include a day-long event called Spring for Life. It consisted of a morning speakers program followed by a picnic lunch and interactive games for the whole Life West community. In the fall of 1992, SPA Day (Science, Philosophy and Art) was created as an annual event featuring a variety of speakers and campus activities to enhance community spirit. Vendors were invited to provide students with an opportunity to learn about products complimentary to chiropractic services. The program featured headliner speakers in the auditorium in the morning followed by break-out sessions throughout the campus in the afternoon. In 2000, when the campus relocated to 25001 Industrial Blvd., Hayward, both Spring for Life and SPA Day continued as annual events. Prior to construction of the Standard Process Assembly Hall (SPAH) and gymnasium in 2015, speakers gave their presentations in room 150 with remote broadcast to four additional lecture rooms. All these programs provided enormous benefit to students by bringing them the first hand experience of alumni and other inspirational speakers who shared the qualities of Lasting-Purpose to Give, to Do, to Love and to Serve from one’s own place of abundance.
SPRINGFORLIFE #LIFEWEST | 13
APRIL 2021
ADMISSIONS
ADMISSIONS
14 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE
DISCOVERING CHIROPRACTIC
WEEKEND OF INSPIRATION Life West hosted its first on-campus admissions event in over a year on April 23-24. With over 40 prospective students in attendance the event was a great success. Prospective students were led by our Student Ambassadors throughout the campus in an interactive tour where they were able to view an Anatomage table in action, play with bones and models, walk through the Health Center, and learn about the history and philosophy of chiropractic and Life West. Dr. Selina Sigafoose-Jackson was our keynote speaker and spoke to the “Who, What, Where, When, Why” of our life’s purpose and plans. Another highlight of the event included the Student Ambassador panel along with our DC panel. We are fortunate to have amazing students that help prospective students learn more about what it is like to be a Life West student and also what it takes to navigate through the various steps to attend our college. The DC panel was truly inspirational sharing amazing stories on the impact they have had on the lives and communities they serve.
ADMISSIONS
TESTIMONIALS “We had an absolute blast. I cannot wait for school to start now.”
WHAT'S NEXT
– Max Schultz
Huntington Beach, CA, Applicant for Summer 2021
“I had a wonderful time at Discovery Weekend. Now, I am able to rest easy knowing Life West is the place for me.” – Kenneth Lintner
Wauconda, IL, Applicant for Summer 2021
“Discovery weekend was absolutely spectacular! I learned so much, and I met several amazing individuals.” – Juliana Mishreki
Seal Beach, CA, Applicant for Fall 2021
“Discovery weekend was an amazing experience! I wanted to thank you, and everyone involved for the opportunity to get all my questions answered and check out the campus. I'm excited to start this summer!” – Hannah Waldron
Bend, OR, Applicant for Summer 2021
“I was excited to attend but was not completely sure how I would like the school or what my decision would be for my chiropractic education. I can say with confidence that Life West is the best option without a doubt! I felt so much love and a great sense of family and community while I was there, along with of course such passionate people for chiropractic and serving. I am very excited to start my chiropractic journey in the – Heidi Tressler
The Office of Admissions holds events every month and students and DCs are welcome to join and be a part of all our activities, whether online or in person. We are also available for in-person and virtual tours ongoing throughout the year. Register online at go.lifewest.edu. ■ Webinar series: ■ The Student Experience, July 21, 6:30pm ■ The Chiropractic Profession, September 8, 6:30pm ■ Discovery Weekend: Life West campus, October 22-23 And in the fall look for additional webinars and the return of Career Nights
WAYS FOR DC'S TO GET INVOLVED There are countless ways for you to help and we really do appreciate all of them. At any given point, Life West is talking with hundreds (if not thousands) of people exploring a career as a DC. There are unique insights that a practicing DC can give to potential students that our Admissions team simply cannot. Here are some of the ways that our Ambassador DCs are able to help us share those insights: ■ Refer a student to Life West and our events ■ Open your office for a presentation on chiropractic ■ Be available to speak with a prospective student ■ Speak at an upcoming Admissions event ■ And more…
New Alexandria, PA, Applicant for Fall 2021
“I’m glad I was able to attend the Discovery Weekend. It was a great experience!"
GET INVOLVED. BECOME A DC AMBASSADOR. lifewest.edu/how-many
– Dannis Singh
Chaumburg, IL, Applicant for Summer 2021
#LIFEWEST | 15
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ALUMNINEWS
FROM THE
DIRECTOR OF A L U M N I R E L AT I O N S Spring is upon us and we are all returning to Life! By the time you read this article, you will be in the process of reopening, your social environment, and your lives. The return to normalcy is closer to reality than any of our 2020 selves could have imagined. Here on campus, the students, faculty and staff are returning to the familiar halls, classrooms, and labs left silent for much of the past year. Although never dormant during the Covid isolation, Life West is seeing new growth and activity as we witness a summertime surge. What’s new in the alumni department? The biggest news is my Alumni Roadshow. I’m heading out on the road this spring and summer with the one and only Dr. Ankur Tayal, Chair of the Philosophy and Business Department and President of the Alumni Association Board. We have affectionately dubbed our events the Alumni Roadshow. We are hosting “FRIEND-raising” dinners with small groups of alumni and friends in select cities. Initially, we will focus close to home in the San Francisco Bay Area and then will be heading to Southern California most likely in the fall. Our agenda is pretty simple - we want to find out how business is going, see what
needs you may have and how Life West can support your success. We will bring your thoughts and perspectives back to the campus and add them to the ongoing dialogue that helps shape the future of our profession. Let's reconnect! We would love to meet up in your city. If you can gather a small group of alumni and friends together and are willing to co-host an evening, send me an email at jibe@lifewest.edu. On another note, this is a huge year for our alumni reunion years. At the WAVE 2021, we are recognizing all graduates from the years ending in ‘01 and ‘06. We are also recognizing our graduates from ‘00 and ‘05 who did not get to gather last year. So this will truly be a GRAND reunion. It will be held in the Life West Learning Commons (formerly the library). Register now at wave.lifewest.edu/alumnirsvp/. WAVE attendance is not required to attend the Grand Reunion. See you around the campus.
Dr. Joseph Ibe ‘10 Director of Alumni Relations
STAY I N TOUCH! SUBSCRIBE TO LIFE AFTER LIFE WEST NEWSLETTER! Email Dr. Joe Ibe at jibe@lifewest.edu
#LIFEWEST | 17
CAPITALCAMPAIGN
A WHOLE NEW SPACE Transforming into the Learning Commons BY TOM HYLAND
CHALLENGE GRANT TO MATCH $1 FOR $1 IN MILLION-DOLLAR PROJECT
One of the largest and most exciting projects in the past decade at Life Chiropractic College West is taking off. We are transforming our traditional library space into a contemporary and technologyenhanced Learning Commons. This project will have a dramatic impact on the learning experience of generations of chiropractors as well as the countless number of chiropractic patients for whom they will provide care. Traditionally, libraries have been defined by a strict set of rules – silent environments that 18 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE
promote solitary study. Evolving technology and its emphasis on group and interactive learning require traditional libraries to adapt to innovative and dynamic forms of learning. The new Learning Commons is designed to embrace these emerging educational trends and practices. Renovations include the removal of almost all of the book stacks, installing new carpet, acquiring new furniture that better promotes group learning dynamics, increased wifi capability, integrating state-of-the-art technology equipment to
enhance individual, group and remotelearning opportunities, new ceiling and insulation paneling, and roof repairs. A digital dissection table by Anatomage is among the most sophisticated technology included in the transformed space. The Learning Commons is at the heart of the educational mission of Life Chiropractic College West. We’re providing students and faculty with an enhanced learning environment and the technology to be successful in today’s technology rich academic culture.
CAPITALCAMPAIGN
HOW TO GIVE: CHIROPRACTIC MUSEUM The history of chiropractic is filled with visionaries, pioneers and healers. This mural depicting historic figures in the chiropractic profession is one of thousands of artifacts, images, devices, and scholarly publications in the Life West Chiropractic Museum. Its new location in the Learning Commons reminds all that the profession’s history is an integral part of the academic and clinical preparation for chiropractors.
HARRIS FOUNDATION AWARDS $500,000 TO CAMPAIGN The William M. Harris Family Foundation, a long-time and steadfast supporter of chiropractic and of Life Chiropractic College West, has awarded $500,000 to the Learning Commons capital campaign over the next five years. This award challenges the Life West community to raise the remaining $500,000 for the project. It also ensures that every dollar donated to the campaign is automatically doubled.
Every member of the Life West Community is asked to be part of this historic transformation of the college's learning environment. There are many ways contributors can make a financial commitment. In addition to cash or credit card donations, consider other estate planning strategies: ■ Donate appreciated stock held for at least one year ■ Contribute from an existing Donor Advised Fund ■ Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (for people 70½ and older) ■ Satisfy an IRA Required Minimum Distribution ■ Engage grateful patients interested in supporting chiropractic Underwriting for any of the naming opportunities can be redeemed with a one-time gift, a three-year pledge (preferred), a four-year pledge (extended) or any payment schedule you prefer. For more about the Learning Commons project and/or to donate, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at (510) 780-4500, ext. 2060 or visit lifewest.edu/connect/learningcommons/ #LIFEWEST | 19
DONORROLL
DONOR ROLL
The President’s Circle are individuals committed to seeing Life West flourish and spread the principles of this great profession. Every dollar donated goes directly to the student experience. Consider joining the President's Circle and making a difference for the next generation of chiropractors and the profession worldwide.
LEADERSHIP | $10,000+ David Amaral DC '88 & Mary Amaral Caren Cole DC '87 & Emil Gluekler Manjit Gauba DC & Reena Gauba Brad Glowaki DC & Jessica Glowaki Deed Harrison DC '96 & Shirlene Harrison DC Eric McKillican DC '93 & Nancy McKillican Patricia McLean DC & Michael McLean DC Ralph Ortiz DC Paul Reed DC Walter Sanchez DC & Glenda Sanchez Aine Sweeney DC '94 Phil Tagami
PLATINUM | $5K - $9,999 Irene Gold, RN DC Kerry Keiser DC Daniel Murphy DC & Michelle Schaer DC Steven Silk DC '91 & Raelynn M. Cancel DC '90
EMERALD | $1,200 - $2,499 Daniel Abeckjerr DC David Acosta DC Steven Adams DC '99 George Ahn Cheryl Anderson DC Elizabeth Anderson-Peacock DC Claudia Anrig DC Ari Anthony DC '16 Michelle Arietta DC '20
Kailey Armor DC Joseph Arvay DC Derek Atchley DC Sergio Azzolino DC '95 Nick Baker DC '07 Steven Baker DC '09 Joseph Ball DC & Carol Ball DC David Basista DC & Grace Lau-Basista DC Rachae Bell-Hamilton DC '11
DIAMOND | $2,500 - $4,999 Darcy Andersen DC Rob Anderson DC Dean Depice DC Selina Sigafoose-Jackson, DC & Kevin Jackson DC Peter Klein DC Brian Lieberman DC & Rachel Lieberman
David Melendez DC & Lorraine Melendez DC Michael Moore DC & Donna Moore Christopher Murphy DC '10 Ronald Oberstein DC & Mary Oberstein DC Susan Salem DC '93 & Serge Merlin Reuben Sendejas DC '96 Jeremy Steel DC '10 & Jackie M. Steel DC Mark Zeigler DC & Gwendolyn G. Zeigler
Ronald Benson DC '86 Ken Bergquist DC Joseph Betz DC Sean Beukelman DC Sundeep Bhasin DC '99 Lisa Bilodeau Anatole Bogatski PhD Waldemar Carrasquillo DC Frederick Carrick DC Lance Casazza DC
George Casey DC Christopher Colgin DC Lona Cook DC Edwin Cordero DC Melissa Crago DC '13 Timothy Cummins DC '99 George Curry DC Nenos Damerchie DC Raymond Daniels DC '18 Marc Davis DC Ian Davis-Tremayne DC '08 Barry Decker DC Delphine Deignan DC Jason Deitch DC Jill DeLong DC Adam Del Torto DC Danny Desaulniers DC Jeff Devine DC Philip Dieter DC '06 Scott Donaldson DC Richard Doss DC '16 Troy Dreiling DC '94 Kerri Duggins-Rames DC '86 Raleigh Duncan DC '00 Sebastian Ewaldh DC & Clemence Hupays DC Kari Figone DC David Fletcher DC, FRCCSS & Nancy Fletcher Leah Garlan DC Skylar Gemmer DC '09 & Vanessa Wise DC '09
CORPORATE & FOUNDATION DONORS $50,000+
$5K - $9,999
Standard Process Transformation Trust William M. Harris Family Foundation
Biotics Research Corp CBP Seminars Chickasaw Nation Clearlight Infrared Sauna John & Elizabeth Moore Educational Trust
$20,000+
Chiro One ChiroSecure NCMIC Foundation NCMIC Insurance $10K - $19,999
Foot Levelers, Inc. New Patient Maven
$1K - $4,999
Andersen Family Chiropractic BlueIQ Chart Talk ChiroPreferred
IN KIND DONORS Chirolux Mark Foullong, DC Ryan French, DC Deed E. Harrison, DC David Hartz, DC Susan R. Hilliker, DC Eric Hoffman 20 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE
Stuart Hoffman, DC Dale Johnson, PhD Martin Rosen, DC Joanne Somerville, DC & Bill Somerville Vincent Su Mark T. Zeigler, DC
ChiroTouch Doctor Multimedia doTERRA Erchonia Jane Software Inc. Leo Adler Foundation & Community Fund LightForce Therapy Lasers Magneceutical Health Medical Lien Recovery Myovision North Carolina Masonic Scholarship Foundation, LLC
Nutragen Schillinger Chiropractic & Wellness Center SKED Inc. $100 - $999
AmazonSmile Foundation Baxmax Supports Cervipedic Neck-Relief Chirolux Christian Chiropractors Association Premier Practice
Consultants LLC Rapid Release Technology Seattle Natural Health Sherwood Family Chiropractic The Merrymaker's Orchestrina Thumper Massager
Thank you for helping us make our chiropractic community stronger. There are many opportunities to help Life West support the profession's objectives and make thoughtful, tax-wise contributions. Learn more about how to help on the Life West website at lifewest.edu.
Patricia A. Giuliano DC Mark Kimes DC Alain Kolt DC Kyle Konas DC Darrel Kopala DC Mark Kordonski DC '04 & Jen Kordonski DC '04 Daniel Kraus DC R. Steve Kreutz DC & Christine Kreutz Stephanie Libs DC '13 Noel Lloyd DC Don MacDonald DC & Brandi MacDonald CA Christie MacDonald DC Albert Mansour DC Benjamin Martin DC Robert Martines DC Diana Martinez DC Eduardo Martinez DC Christina Meakim DC Lorraine Melendez DC & David V. Melendez DC Scott Mindel DC Peter Morgan DC Brian Moriarty DC Michael Morris DC '98 Geraldine Mulhall-Wright DC '97 Susan Mullen DC '97 Jimmy Nanda DC '97 Bradley Nelson DC '88 Sarah Newman DC '05 & Mitchell M. Newman DC Paul Newton DC '04 Lawrence Oberstein DC '84 Angel Ochoa-Rea DC '14 Takeshi Ogura DC '98 Lori O'Hara DC '87 Thomas Oliver DC '98 Gregg O'Neill DC Erica Orduno DC Benjamin Ozanne DC
Ronil Pala DC '14 Niraj Patel DC Arthur Patterson DC Palmer Peet DC Brooke Peters DC Reanna Plancich DC '10 Jess Pontious DC '87 Shawn Powers DC Kendall Price DC Christopher Quigley DC & Romain Riberou DC Brandon Roberts DC '01 Martin Rosen DC Russell Rosen DC Dorrin Rosenfeld DC '92 & Robert M. Woolery DC Paul Roses DC Toniann Roses-Sottile DC & Dean Sottile DC Armand Rossi DC Justin Roth DC Kristopher Royal DC Gregg Rubinstein DC Scott Sawyer DC Timothy Schaub DC David Scheiner DC Mark Schillinger DC Bruce Schneider DC Jeffrey Scholten DC Jacob Schuppe DC Robert Seiler DC '97 Laura Sheehan DC '02 Kaitlyn Shikada DC '18 Jacob Shuppe DC James Siller DC Stephen Simonetti DC Jean-Marc Slak DC & Linda Slak DC Roechelle Smith DC '97 Timothy Smith DC '95 & Catherine Smith DC Candice So DC '10
Kenneth So DC Raj Sohal DC Dean Sottile DC & Toniann Roses-Sottile DC Flint Sparks DC Clint Steele DC & Tina Steele Brian Stenzler DC Ashleigh Street DC '11 Rick Swecker DC '03 Ryan Sweet DC '04 Ankur Tayal DC '09 Larry Thill DC '91 Rebecca Tibbits DC Jeffrey Trinka DC '98 Scott Turner CPA Roderick Van Buskirk DC '87 Erik Van Slooten DC '09 Michael Viscarelli DC Gary Walsemann DC & Susan Walsemann DC Nicole Watson DC '05 Mindy Weingarten DC Robert Wolff DC Heather Wolfson DC '03 & Jack Wolfson DO Tim Yoder DC Nikolai Young DC Sonya Young DC Miaken Zeigler DC Rion Zimmerman DC Eva Zingone DC '17 & Joe M. Zingone DC '16
DONORROLL
Kristen Giles DC & Paul C. Ruscica DC Aaron Gillespie DC Michael Gorgas DC Gordon Gracey DC '81 Elizabeth Greene Carolyn Griffin DC David Gustitus DC David Guzzardo DC '86 Terri Hamilton DC '93 Curtis Han DC '98 B.J. Hardick DC Cliff Hardick DC Andy Harding DC Darren Hart DC Cameron Hastings James Hawkins & Kathleen G. Hawkins Shawn Hayes DC '89 & Cynthia Hayes Leah Hetebrueg DC Peter Hinz DC Bharon Hoag DC Paul Hodgson DC '10 & Gina M. Illia DC Stuart Hoffman DC Jay Holder DC & Rita Holder Peter Holt Stanton Hom DC Mylene Hopf DC '10 Alvin Hsu DC '11 Marc Hudson DC Ryan Hulsebus DC '08 D.D. Humber DC & Beth M. Humber Thomas Hyland Joseph Ibe DC '10 Jeffrey Jacobs DC Kerry Johnson DC Dale Johnson PhD Victor Kapriva DC Armen Kendig DC Peter Kevorkian DC &
SUPPORTERS PLATINUM / $15K - $25K Aine Sweeney DC '94 DIAMOND | $5K - $14,999 Irene Gold, RN DC Daniel Murphy DC & Michelle Schaer DC GOLD / $500 - $4,999 Barbara Fairfield LMFT & Donald Fairfield Kevin Hearon DC & Alison Hearon Ian Rassel DC '05 SILVER | $100-$499 Anonymous Donations Joanne Ares-Tabick & Robert Tabick Angelo Baez Douglas Bell DC '83 Bipin Bhosale Lynn Bunin DC '94 Lise Cloutier DC
Daniel Crayk Huong Danh DC '10 Kenneth Daniels Bobby Doscher DC Karen Fairfield '00 Alex Foote DC '01 Matthew Francoeur DC Katherine Gentile June Gentle DC '94 John Guilford DC '86 Merry Harris DC '95 Paula Hedglon DC & Michael Hedglon Daniel Helm DC '96 Spencer Hill Eric Hoffman Claire-Marie Holman DC '86 Rebecca Howard Darcy Kelly DC Samuel Krasner Lori Libs DC & David Libs DC Barry Lieberman DC Elliott Mantell DC
Trevor Marum DC '18 & Virginia Marum John McCarthy DC '14 Riley Mehaffey Jonathan Moukhtofi DC Katherine Murray DC '16 Isidoro Narvaez-Ruiz DC '02 Edward Pakdaman Dorothy Pangelinan Dennis Perman DC Troy Peters DC '05 Hien Pham DC '01 Angela Pino Edward Rak DC Elizabeth Rassel DC David Reed DC '00 Stephanie Rodriguez Anna Scarbrough Jon Scott DC Marilyn Shore DC Lindsey Squibb DC '18 Christopher Tabick DC Josephine Tabick Melinda Tamonte DC '02
Paige Thibodeau DC Anthony Wasem DC & Richard Westbrook DC Titima Williams DC '94 Michelle Wozniak DC Jamie Wyskiver DC Will Youngblood DC Harley Youngblood DC BRONZE | UP TO $99 Krystal Allen DC Macaela Bennett Ronald Berg DC Salim Bohsali Drew Boster & Mary T. Boster DC Brian Burns DC Anthony Carrano Patrick Chonzena Harry Dietrich Emily Downing Zachary Dunbar Rebecca Ellis DC '16 Brandon Fein
Steven Forcash Timothy Gay DC Maureen Huskey Raui Jitta DC Lauren Kilian Stephen Kutscher Steven Mamigonian DC Deborah Marin DC Elisabeth Miranda Reuben Montemagni DC '90 Namir Moussa '20 Kristopher Nguyen '19 Joyce Polikoff Michael Reid Loren Roberts DC Douglas Ross DC '85 & Virginia A. Frederick DC Todd Royse DC John Schuessler Sharon Seto Heidi Skye DC Jo Stroud DC '86 Karen Zamzow #LIFEWEST | 21
FOR STUDENTS Start an Internship Gain hands-on practice management and technique experience through an offsite preceptorship.
LIFE WEST PRECEPTORSHIPS
Graduating Practice-Ready Chiropractors Placing soon-to-graduate students in the offices of doctors eager to share their experience during the transition from student to professional.
LIFE WEST CAREER SERVICES CENTER
Empowering Students and Alumni for a Career in Chiropractic Jobs and Classifieds Board Contract, lease, and general business consultation Access to recorded interviews with chiropractic industry experts “As a practicing chiropractor, it is important to not only understand the facets of direct patient care but also of the intricacies of running a business. Here at Life West, your success is our success.” — Dr. Joe Ibe
22
FOR DCS Become a preceptor Gain experienced assistance while helping the next generation of chiropractors by hosting a preceptorship at your practice.
preceptor.lifewest.edu
FOLIOHERE
True character is revealed under times of great pressure.
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LIFE CHIROPRACTIC COLLEGE WEST
CONTINUING EDUCATION F O R B U SY C H I R O P R AC TO R S
LIVE ON CAMPUS Nasal Specific Technique Dan Murphy, DC, DABCO
LIVE ONLINE AND ON CAMPUS Concepts in Chiropractic and Immunology: A Review of Supportive Physiology and Studies Dan Murphy, DC, DABCO
Advanced Chiropractic Billing & Coding Seminar Sam Collins, DC Infant Adjusting for the Practicing Chiropractor
DR. DAN MURPHY, DC, DABCO
Get 12 or 24-Hour CE Packages
Geraldine Mulhall-Wright, DC
LIVE ONLINE SEMINARS Common Radiologic Diagnosis in Chiropractic Practice Jamie Motley, DC, DACBR
Concussion: A Chiropractor’s Guide Brad Glowaki, DC
In Case You Missed the Memo: New Evaluation & Management Guides, Diagnosis Codes & More Lisa Bilodeau, CA
You Choose What Works For You! All Courses Available Individually 12-Hour online, on-demand CE package Includes ethics, exam/technique, and other topics. 24-Hour CE Choice Package Get 12 hours online, on-demand PLUS 12 hours live (choice of webinar or classroom). Includes ethics, exam/technique, and other topics.
Chiropractic Care for Athletes Sean Drake, DC
Anatomy of Breastfeeding Lynn Gerner, DC, FICPA
ce.lifewest.edu | 510-780-4508
TAKES ON SERVICE AND DIVERSITY BY SARAH PARSONS
current climate in the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community (BIPOC). Additionally, the D&I Committee held a virtual symposium during Friday Seminar introducing the framework that will guide the college over the coming years, create awareness of the committee and its purpose, and invite students to actively foster systemic change on campus. The Community Service Committee has also been hard at work, coming up with several ideas on how to serve Hayward and surrounding areas in order to give back to the communities students STUDENT COUNCIL EXECUTIVES: ARMONI RIVERS, JULIA ROSE, SOPHIA GRANDSTAFF, SAGI HEBRON call home, while incubating and learning the way of the Chiropractor. In collaboration with the campus bookstore, the Student Council has created a The Life West Strategic Plan is a “great opportunity quarterly contest in which students submit designs for us all at Life Chiropractic College West to for Life West gear. The winning design will be learn, think, collaborate and grow. This strategic produced and sold in the bookstore with 100% of plan is not just a dream or a vision. It is a roadmap the proceeds going to a local charity that aligns with that will guide Life West as we embark on the next our ethos of Lasting Purpose. The goal is to create development phase,” said Dr. Ron Oberstein when relationships throughout the community that Life the plan was launched in 2019. The current plan is West can foster for years to come. focused on always enhancing graduate outcomes Student clubs have also been encouraged to and the student experience, and on setting the develop their own ideas. Equality Council holds college up to continue to thrive into the future, another very successful regular event on the all while remaining grounded in our core value of weekends. They select a spot, gather together, Lasting Purpose - to Give, pick up trash, and talk Do, Love and Serve from to passing community Our current plan is focused on always one’s own Abundance. members about enhancing graduate outcomes and the student Key to the success Chiropractic. Another experience, and on setting the college up to of the plan is student very successful event continue to thrive into the future, all while involvement. Deep in was held by the Student remaining grounded in our core value of Lasting Council in February. the implementation of Purpose - to Give, Do, Love and Serve from these strategic initiatives The Life West student one’s own Abundance. are the Student Council body partners with President Sagi Hebron Oklahaven Children’s and Vice President Sophia Grandstaff. As they Chiropractic Center every February for the annual were discussing updating the Student Council Have-A-Heart Campaign, and 2021 was the most Constitution, it became apparent that something successful fundraising year to date! Once again was missing. Basing their approach off of the the college received the winning Golden Heart Lasting Purpose values, they asked each other, Award with a record collection amount. “what is it that we’re actually doing as part of Our students have shown that they are the plan?” The answer - not much. From this committed to sharing the responsibility fundamental question arose a clear path of action. for achieving the initiatives outlined in the Student Council identified the two Strategic Strategic Plan. They are intent on creating a Initiatives in which they could have the most campus culture that embraces diversity and impact and committed to taking action by revising inclusion and celebrates service within and the Student Council Constitution to include outside of the college. Their example shows committees in Community Service and Diversity that Lasting Purpose is not just etched on the and Inclusion. campus walls; more importantly, it is sewn An initial event of the Student Council and D&I into the fibers of the souls that give their time Committee recently took place in the form of a virtual at the college to serve humanity out of their community forum to provide space for discussion own abundance. around recent violence towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, and the
STUDENTCOUNCIL
STUDENT COUNCIL
#LIFEWEST | 25
GRADUATES
CONGRATULATIONS,
LIFE CHIR GRADUATES! COLLEGE
25001 Indu Hayward, C
WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!
Our graduates come to Life West from all over the world and are dedicated to spreading Lasting Purpose. We couldn't be more proud of these new doctors of chiropractic. We are excited to see them spread their wings to create a brighter future for humanity.
SPRING 2020 Zeina Abouakl Alyssa Agrella Josephine Alapati Bryan Bautista Jon Burleigh Devin Cathro Darren Corbell Andrew Crawford Nickolas Cruz Brandon Curley Cassandra Fisher Cindy Forni 26 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE
Jessica Hambley Talia Hooshmand Robert Horzempa Blake Kastl Mariam Khojazada Alexander Leonard Benito Lopez Dejon Lunsford Kelly Makela John McGovern Kathryn Messenger Sam Mika Andrew Mikesell
Paul Mikunda Lorraine Moore Mark Olin Trevor Petersen Brittnnie Allison Ramirez Nicholas Recupero Pooyan Safaei Shirazi Imtiaz Sayed Casey Schorling Jasmine Singh Nicole Solomon Yervand Titizyan Robert Trindle
Gabriel Tung Anthony Umina William Van Sittert Alex Viveiros SUMMER 2020 Brian Abadia Ian Antovich Daryus Blackburn Daniel Bogert Tamara Bohren Alicia Burnside Robert Campbell
GRADUATES
VALEDICTORIANS AND SALUTATORIANS SPRING 2021
SUMMER 2021
VALEDICTORIAN | BLAKE KASTL
VALEDICTORIAN | ROBERT CAMPBELL, III & LAUREN DOERING-CAMPBELL
SALUTATORIAN | DEVIN CATHRO & KATHRYN MESSENGER
SALUTATORIAN | ALEXIS EDWARDS
WINTER 2021 VALEDICTORIAN | MICHAEL HANSON SALUTATORIAN | CONNOR KAMINSKI
Cheuk Wai Matthew Cheung Frederick Chilton Clint Clifford Lauren Cruz Jennifer Culanag Neil de Quant Rajat Dhanda Kevin Do Lauren Doering-Campbell Tiffany Duffy Alexis Edwards Angela Erdmann Brad Foote
David Frank Jose Galdamez Matthew Giessman Katharine Grossman Kathryn Gwizdak Brant Ho Judith Hoffman Steven Hulse Micah Johnsrud Choi Yee Lau Jacob Lee Molly Moreira Anthony Mossuto
Taylor Mutis Justine Nakazawa Christopher Nguyen Nikki Nguyen Dorsha Nichols Sameer Pal Sara Parsons Desiree Robinson Joey San Juan Farida Savai Brett Sesma Meg Southern Cassie Stansberry
John Stowe Dayanara Thompson Matthew Torres Thomas Yasukochi WINTER 2021 Katie Hildebrandt Jonathan Hooker Rose Russell Hannah Sisson Cody Young Shahrouz Zamanian
#LIFEWEST | 27
ALUMNIPROFILE
I sat in Dr. Jim Sievers' class nearly twenty years ago and wrote down my answer to the assignment that he had given us. He had asked us to write our professional vision. I wrote that I was committed to elevating the chiropractic profession to its rightful position of prominence. I didn’t start off on this path when I first entered into higher education, in spite of the fact that I am the son of a chiropractor, and I come from a family that does everything with a chiropractic first mentality. I had a lot of growing up to do and to my father’s credit, he let me find my own path to becoming a chiropractor. I guess it was inevitable - I have had the opportunity to be amongst some great chiropractors that sacrificed much for this profession. I have vivid memories of sitting with Drs. Nell and Sid. I can remember playing baseball with Dr. Don Clum on his parent’s lawn one Thanksgiving or Easter. That’s just what we did, we hung out with chiropractors, we took family vacations to chiropractic seminars, like DE and Parker. I didn’t really know that there was a different way of living for most of my childhood. That’s why it always created some cognitive dissonance for me when kids in the playground would try to tell me my dad wasn’t a real doctor, or something worse. I was searching for what I was supposed to do with my life, and I happened to stop into the college. I have always been connected to the institution from my father’s role as the Chairman of the Board for thirty years. And as Dr. Clum often did for many of us, he welcomed me into his office and set about saying the things I needed to hear so I could make the decision I needed to make. So I matriculated into the
many subjects. I feel blessed to love learning. I am grateful to have been given the award for clinical excellence when I graduated. I love the study of techniques and technique history. Chiropractic history is so unique. I invite each and every one of you to study our history - we owe those pioneers a great debt for establishing and developing something so unique. As my early years of practice unfolded, I got the opportunity to come back to the college as an anatomy instructor. During my time in school I had helped with the Japanese exchange program teaching anatomy, so now being an anatomy instructor was a great fit. I've also taught technique and analysis. I wanted to also take the opportunity to move into the business curriculum so I could help address the challenges that face so many graduates new into practice. Teaching business has been rewarding but difficult - there is little business context and relevance when you’re worried about board exams and midterms. Even so, exposing students to basic business concepts is critical. As is the need for robust intern and preceptor experiences. I applaud Life West’s efforts to make that a reality for their graduates. That’s one of the primary reasons I have been a President's Circle member for as many years as I have. I got invited into the chiropractic political realm a few years into practice when the state association was lobbying for inclusion in AB 2706. These experiences really lit a fire under me to get busy elevating the chiropractic profession like I had promised myself many years before. Eventually I was appointed as the chairman of the California state association governmental affairs committee and currently I sit on the board of the association as the category expert in governmental affairs. Lobbying and advocating for chiropractic takes a lot of time, effort and money, and my hope is that more of my colleagues will get the big idea about supporting the profession and the college for the sake of the things that are important to them. Working in the classroom has afforded me the opportunity to see the students’ genuine desire to serve people of all walks of life. I love the mission trips that the college puts together, and we have a need to go on a mission to serve more of the population right here and now. If we are only serving at best 10-15% of the population, we have a lot of work to do in terms of “serving for the sake of serving.” I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to work in this capacity, to be part of this college, and to do whatever small part I can to elevate this profession. I can’t help myself, it’s what I’m called to do.
ALUMNI PROFILE
DR. PHIL DIETER ‘06 college and in spite of a lifetime around the chiropractic profession, I had so much to learn about chiropractic, let alone chemistry, physics, anatomy and the like. I owe a lot to the faculty and the administration, many of whom are still tirelessly serving at the college. The character of individuals that this institution embodies is truly remarkable. I distinctly remember an “aha” moment in Professor Jim Hawkins’ physiology class when we were discussing kidney function and I thought to myself how the human body was the most remarkable supercomputer the world had ever seen. I became ravenous for knowledge after that, and still feel today like I constantly want to learn more about so 28 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE
WHAT'S YOUR STORY BY S O P H I A G R A N D STA F F
Chiropractic found me when I needed it the most, but realizing that it was my future career and passion happened much later and took a little bit of lightning. This is my story. Seventeen years ago, I was twelve years old and my world revolved around playing sports. I am not kidding: volleyball, softball, swimming, basketball... you name it, I played it. I was one of those mega kid athletes that played on year-round travel teams with daily practices and weekend tournaments all over California. It was never dull. Being an active athlete it was a lot of fun and understandably a substantial amount of work. Eventually the repetitive stress being put on my growing body caught up with me. I was only twelve years old and in constant pain. It was hard to focus in school and I was so uncomfortable in my own skin. I remember being in class and squirming in my seat, stretching, twisting, trying to get some sort of relief. I felt foggy headed and disconnected to the world moving around me. I was not myself, not in the slightest. Throughout the next year I visited physical therapists, athletic trainers, acupuncturists, cryotherapy chambers and tried anything and everything that was
sitting next to me describes it best, but what it felt like was a mixture of blacking out and seeing red. My blood felt like it was boiling, and what happened next changed my life. I casually turned around and asked him why he thought that, and listened to his very bleak and unsupported answer. I calmly told him that no matter what profession he chooses the goal is to make someone feel better. To disrespect another profession that ultimately provides care to others is not only very ignorant but sad. There is so much that you don’t know about the human body, that we don’t have the right to label and bash another profession until we either experience it, or learn all there is to it. We need to work together in these professions, not for our own egos but for our patients. I turned back around, but I couldn’t listen to one word of that lecture. It felt like I was struck on the top of the head by a huge lightning bolt, I was paralyzed with emotion. I realized in that moment that I was so fired up about defending chiropractic to a stranger who clearly didn’t understand what it was and how it could impact a person's life. That was the passion I had been searching for, and though I didn’t know detailed chiropractic intricacies at that time as I do now, I knew its worth. I left that class knowing I was going to be a chiropractor. I will spend the rest of my life gaining knowledge about the incredibly robust science, art and philosophy of chiropractic, and I will educate as many people as I can along the way. Like I said, Chiropractic found me, and I am so thankful that it did.
STUDENTPROFILE
STUDENT PROFILE
recommended. Nope, nothing worked. I had some temporary relief, and I definitely learned some great stretching routines but ultimately I felt the same. It wasn’t until my sister told me I should visit a chiropractor, and not just any chiropractor: Dr. Kristina Brew, the bassist in their band by night and Chiro by day! My first visit showed an off-the-charts Titron scan, inch and a half right short leg, hyperlordorsis, T/L and C/T fixations, my upper cervicals were painful and not moving and much much more. I was SUBLUXATED, I was a mess. Long story short, after 3 months of regular care I was officially categorized as “a patient of wellness and asymptomatic.” My body responded so well that in only three months I was holding all of my adjustments and I was back to optimal function. Many years have passed, and I have not forgotten my first adjustment. I left that office seeing colors brighter, hearing more Chiropractic found me when I needed it the clearly, my reaction most, but realizing that it was my future time was faster, my career and passion happened much later and brain fog was gone, I was pain free and I felt took a little bit of lightning. euphoric. So, with that in mind, it probably would seem obvious to me that I should become a chiropractor…nope, that realization happened many years later. It struck me while sitting in a class at San Diego State University, working on my bachelors degree in kinesiology, and planning on becoming a physical therapist (I know, what?). Class was about to begin when I overheard a conversation happening behind me. Two guys were discussing their future career path when one said “No, I am going to be a physical therapist not a Chiropractor, Chiropractic is a pseudoscience.” Something happened to me in that moment. My friend who was
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Members of the President’s Circle propel Life West and the next generation of chiropractors forward through their time, talent and treasure. President Ron Oberstein regularly engages with members to inform them of developments at Life West as well as to draw from their individual talents as healers, speakers, authors, researchers, entrepreneurs, historians, philosophers, and thought leaders in the chiropractic profession. This dynamic interchange regularly helps shape the future of chiropractic and its impact on the world. Through their personal philanthropy, members of the President’s Circle enhance the Life West student experience at all levels. Their support has been crucial in supporting the improvement of the campus, such as the new Drs. Sid and Nell Williams Lasting Purpose Courtyard. The President’s Circle also underwrites scholarships, service trips, and elevates the teaching, learning, and clinical training that helps produce the
best graduates Life West has to offer. As a welcome to our first quarter students, the President’s Circle gifts each new aspiring chiropractor with a life-size spine that they can use their entire career at Life West and beyond. “I truly hold the President's Circle as the bedrock upon which I stand,” Dr Oberstein said. “Their commitment to our students, the profession, and ultimately the health of humanity is unprecedented. They exemplify Lasting Purpose to its core, and I couldn't be more proud of this group of selfless servants for chiropractic.” As important as financial support is, their roles as ambassadors for Life West are also crucial to the success in recruiting qualified students, enlisting preceptors, encouraging research, and advocating for vitalistic chiropractic. Many of the speakers at the WAVE are long-term members as are several faculty and staff, who are all joined in a common ethos called Lasting Purpose.
Two new initiatives within the President’s Circle are coming online. The Be One – Get One effort challenges each current member to invite a new member into the President’s Circle. The second initiative is our newly formed Ambassador Level program. This is an opportunity for new Life West graduates to join the President’s Circle at a reduced annual contribution for the first five years after graduation. Benefits are structured to focus on early stage practitioners.
Everyone is invited to engage more deeply with the mission of Life West through membership in the President’s Circle. 32 | LIFEWEST.EDU/MAGAZINE
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